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Arlo Pro 4 Overview
In 2014, Arlo was one of the first businesses to join the home security camera industry, and since then, it has released a slew of Wi-Fi-connected security cameras, resulting in a diverse product line. Many of its types are currently among the top home security cameras available.
Arlo has improved the quality and introduced useful features that decrease annoying alarms with each iteration, making each camera seem like a true step forward from the previous model and ensuring they make our top home security cameras round-up. This isn’t the case with the Arlo Pro 4, which was just released. On paper, the Arlo Pro 4 looks to be a minor upgrade, as many of its capabilities, such as resolution and AI-powered features, are also available on the Arlo Pro 3.
However, there is one important difference: the Arlo Pro 4 camera, like Arlo’s Essential series of more cheap home security cameras, can connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network. As a result, a SmartHub isn’t required, making the camera more cheap at $199.99 / £220 / AU$295.
The built-in lighting on the Arlo Pro 4 allows it to record 2K quality color footage both during the day and at night. With a 160-degree range of vision, the camera will send an alert to your smartphone whenever it detects motion, allowing you to see the camera’s feed in real time. It also saves the video clips in a secure online location (if you have an Arlo Smart subscription), where you may access them at any time for 30 days after they were captured.
The Arlo Pro 4 comes with a three-month free trial of Arlo Smart, however there is no local storage option due to the lack of SmartHub. If you want to see videos after they’ve been saved, you’ll need to keep your Arlo Smart membership, which costs $2.99 / £2.49 / AU$4.49 each month.
Arlo Smart, on the other hand, provides more than simply internet storage for video footage. It also includes a number of AI-based features aimed at reducing nuisance alerts, such as the ability to determine whether motion is caused by a person, animal, vehicle, or other source, as well as the ability to create zones where notifications are only sent when activity is detected in these areas.
The Pro 4 is waterproof and can be powered by the mains or a rechargeable battery, which Arlo promises can last up to six months before needing to be charged. The camera also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, however it will need to be linked to a SmartHub, which costs $99.99 / £179.99 / AU$290, to support HomeKit.
While the camera is less expensive than other Arlo Pro and Arlo Ultra versions, it is still a pricey home security camera when compared to the competition. However, if you want a camera that can capture detailed footage without a base station, or if you want to upgrade from an Arlo Pro 2 or older model – which only records video in Full HD – it’s well worth the money.
Arlo Pro 4 price and availability
The Arlo Pro 4 starts at $199.99 / £220 / AU$295 for a one-camera package, which is available globally through Arlo’s website as well as other online retailers such as Amazon.
A two-camera set costs $379.99 / AU$558 (about £275) in the US and Australia, while a three-camera package costs $549.99 / £569.99 (approximately AU$750) in the US and UK. Only Australia offers the option of purchasing a four-camera package, which costs $1,038 (about $770 / £560).
As previously stated, the Arlo Pro 4 comes with a three-month free trial of Arlo Smart, which allows you to securely store footage taken by the camera online and have access to features that help decrease unnecessary alerts. If you choose to keep your membership after the trial ends, it will cost you $2.99 / £2.49 / AU$4.49 a month, depending on how many cameras you have.
Arlo Pro 4 Design
- It can be hard-wired or rechargeable battery-powered.
- Weatherproof
- Directly connects to your Wi-Fi network
The Arlo Pro 4 has a glossy white plastic shell that can be removed in one piece, and a black front that holds the 160-degree camera lens and an LED spotlight, same like the Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo’s other home security cameras. Remove the shell to uncover the rechargeable battery by pressing the button on the bottom of the Arlo Pro 4 next to the connector pins for a magnetic charging cable (for hardwiring the camera). It’s a little home security camera, measuring 3.5 x 2 x 3 inches / 8.9 x 5.2 x 7.8cm (h x w x d).
The Arlo Pro 3 is a weatherproof camera with a magnetic stand that can be placed on a wall or used free-standing. An optional screw mount is offered on the rear of the camera since the camera may be easily removed from this mount. This sort of mount isn’t included in the box; it’s an additional cost of $19.99 / £12.99 / AU$39.
The Arlo Pro 4 connects directly to your Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for a SmartHub, as previously stated. We found the Arlo Pro 4 to be really simple to set up. We easily followed the Arlo’s step-by-step instructions, which included inputting the Wi-Fi password, scanning a QR code in the app, and upgrading the camera’s software.
Arlo Pro 4 Performance
- The 160-degree field of vision has a small fisheye effect and provides clear
- Detailed color footage throughout the day and at night.
- Motion tracking and automatic zooming
The footage captured by the Arlo Pro 4 was crisp and vivid in our tests, and the 12x zoom let us to hone in on minute elements in the video. We programmed the spotlight to trigger when motion was detected in low-light circumstances, thus the film was captured in color both during the day and at night.
While the 160-degree field of vision gave the video a little fisheye look, we found that it didn’t detract from the clarity, and the inclusion of HDR capabilities allowed us to discern minute details even when the sun was shining brilliantly or heavy shadows were cast.
When the camera detected motion, we were able to program it to automatically zoom in and track the source of the action. However, we discovered that because the image had been zoomed, the film was not as clear as normal when utilizing this option.
The Arlo Pro 4’s ability to determine if a motion alert was caused by a human, animal, vehicle, or other source was highly successful in our tests. There were two occasions where the laundry on the line was mistaken for a human, however this was resolved by activating motion zones in the camera’s range of vision (another Arlo Smart feature).
The built-in flashlight and siren may be turned on and off manually, as well as actuated automatically when motion is detected. Due to built-in noise cancellation, the two-way speak function proved handy, allowing you to converse with anyone in the camera’s field of vision; it was clear and without distortion, even when the weather was windy.
Arlo Pro 4 Application
- Easy to navigate
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration
- Create a recording schedule or activate a geofence.
The Arlo app offers a straightforward and easy-to-use UI. When you first open it, you’ll find a list of the Arlo security cameras that have been placed in your house, along with a snapshot of the most recently recorded motion.
You can easily modify settings for each camera from here, such as speaker and microphone volume, siren or spotlight triggering, and even geofencing (shared via your smartphone) to turn the camera on or off based on your position.
The Library tab displays previous footage in chronological order, while the Mode tab lets you choose how a camera works while you’re at home or away. You can use the camera with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, but the latter requires a SmartHub, as we’ve already stated. This means you’ll be able to see footage from the camera on your TV or a connected smart display, as well as use it in certain home automations.
For video storage and smart capabilities like object recognition, you’ll need an Arlo Smart subscription, as previously stated. The camera comes with a three-month free trial, after which monthly fees start at $2.99 / £2.49 / AU$4.49 This is comparable to security camera programs offered by companies like Ring and Google.
Battery life
- Battery is swappable
- It takes around 3.5 hours to recharge
- Arlo says the battery lasts between three and six months
The Arlo Pro 4’s battery is said to last three to six months, according to Arlo. Because we put the camera through extensive testing in a short amount of time for our evaluation, we can’t confirm how rapidly ‘normal use’ drains the battery. The battery life you obtain will, however, be determined by a variety of circumstances, including how often motion is detected, how many times Live View is enabled, whether the flashlight or siren is active, and how often the two-way microphone and speaker are utilized.
Because the Arlo Pro 4’s batteries are swappable, rather than having the camera out of commission while it charges, you may buy a second battery to replace it. Using the included USB cord and power adapter, we were able to recharge the battery in around three and a half hours.
Why should you buy it?
Buy it if..
You desire night vision in color.
The built-in flashlight on the Arlo Pro 4 guarantees color footage is recorded both during the day and at night. It can be programmed to turn on automatically if the camera detects activity.
You’re looking for a security camera that doesn’t require a SmartHub.
The Arlo Pro 4 has much of the same capabilities as the Arlo Pro 3, except it doesn’t require the SmartHub, so it can connect to your home Wi-Fi hub directly. If you want a security system without a hub, this is something to think about.
You’re looking for Arlo’s smart features.
The Arlo Smart subscription has several very useful capabilities for reducing false positive alarms delivered to your smartphone – these will undoubtedly make your security camera less irritating.
Should not buy it if..
You require HomeKit assistance.
The Arlo Pro 4 does support HomeKit, but only when paired with a SmartHub, which isn’t included in the package, unlike the Arlo Pro 3. As a result, if you’re a fan of Apple’s ecosystem, this camera is best avoided.
You’re on a tight budget.
The Arlo Pro 4 is a mid-range camera from Arlo, although it isn’t the cheapest on the market. If you’re on a tight budget, the Eufy SoloCam E40, which records in 2K but is less expensive at $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$229.
You’d want to save the film you’ve captured locally.
The Arlo Pro 4 doesn’t have a SmartHub, so there’s no option to save footage locally. Give this security camera a wide berth if you don’t want to pay a monthly fee only to save footage.
